Bastille Day

This is the (friendly) jam of boats that we found ourselves in at Joinville -

On Thursday 13th July, we duly decided our departure time - 10am - and then had a chat with the nearest boats blocking our way out of harbour.  Surprisingly, everyone else has also chosen this same time to leave - huh?

And, as it happened, the boats miraculously cleared away just before 10 and we had no trouble at all in casting off and motoring out of Joinville at our appointed time 😀

Our next port of call was to be St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, just 16 miles away on the mainland opposite Ile D'Yeu.  We had been told they had a good set of events to celebrate Bastille Day tomorrow and we wanted to see.

There really was no wind at all, so we motored all the way to St-Gilles and were allocated a place on their visitors' pontoon.

Next day we followed the crowds to find the Bastille Day events.

The Parade comprising: fire service, police, paramedics, local dignitaries, a marching band, military veterans and youth groups.  They walked along the streets, lined with admiring members of the public, and were respectfully clapped as they passed.  The marchers looked chuffed to be given this recognition and it was lovely to see their self-effacing smiling faces.

Fire engines leading the parade

Youth groups and marching bands

Brazilian drummers and dancers performing at a series of sites across the town, including a bandstand next to our pontoon.  Very loud and great fun! 


And last of all - Fireworks (or feu d'artifice in French) at 11pm


Interesting for us to observe and still an important event for local families we reckon.

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